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TYPE OF WORK
Full Time
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SALARY
4000
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HOURS PER WEEK
40
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DATE UPDATED
Sep 11, 2025
About Pioneer Dev AI
Launched in June 2024, Pioneer Dev AI is a boutique software agency that builds high?performing SaaS applications and cutting?edge AI solutions for clients worldwide.
We’re a growing team of talented engineers tackling exciting, complex projects in AI and full?stack development. We currently have 10+ active engagements supported by a distributed engineering team.
Role Overview
As a Lead Product Engineer, you are the connective tissue between product, engineering, and the client. You’ll interview stakeholders, crystallize product requirements, and convert them into precise technical plans. You’ll review designs, write/ review code, orchestrate delivery through Linear/Jira, and ensure shipped features match the spec and the business need.
Employment type: Full?time contractor (40+ hrs/week) • Location: Remote in Philippines
What You’ll Do
1. Client Discovery & Product Definition: Interview stakeholders, extract goals/constraints, and align on success metrics.
2. Deep Domain Dives: Research the problem space (market, user flows, compliance, data sources) and articulate why the solution is needed.
3. Convert Product ? Technical Specs: Translate PRDs into system designs, architecture diagrams, data models, and acceptance criteria.
4. Engineering Collaboration: Consult domain specialists (AI, infra, security) when questions exceed current knowledge.
5. Execution Planning: Create and maintain Linear/Jira tickets, estimates, and delivery plans; run stand?ups and weekly demos when needed.
6. Design Review: Partner with designers; ensure UX aligns with constraints, states, and edge cases.
7. Code Review & Contributions: Review PRs for correctness and scope; contribute code across the stack (does not have to be the hardest tasks).
8. Quality & Acceptance: Define test plans, review staging builds, confirm acceptance criteria, and coordinate releases.
Must?Have Skills & Experience
- 5+ years building software in production (full?stack or backend?leaning).
- Demonstrated experience owning features end?to?end: discovery ? spec ? delivery.
- Strong systems thinking: data modeling, API design, and integration planning.
- Comfortable reading/writing TypeScript.
- Ability to review PRs for correctness, security, and performance.
- Excellent client communication in English; can run structured discovery calls and write crisp docs.
- Proficiency with modern delivery tooling: GitHub, Linear/Jira, Notion, Figma.
- Comfortable with lightweight architecture diagrams (C4, sequence, ERD).
Nice to Have
- Experience with LLMs and AI?enabled workflows (RAG, vector DBs, evals, guardrails).
- Frameworks and platforms we often use: React/Remix/Next.js, Fastify/NestJS, FastAPI, Prisma, Postgres/Supabase,
- Experience leading teams as an engineering manager
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Currently or previously worked as an engineering manager
- Looking for a leadership role that is more about execution (including coding) and less about bureaucracy
- Excited to really dive deep into AI and other new technologies
- Goes above and beyond to help build a high quality project in a team setting as a leader
Compensation & Hours
- Hourly rate: $10/hr to $25/hr depending on experience and technical performance during the interview process. Note salary expectations are part of the selection criteria.
- Flexible hours and fully remote work.
This Role Is Not
- A traditional PM who only writes tickets and talks to clients.
- A pure EM who avoids code or only runs ceremonies.
- A siloed backend/frontend role with no product ownership.
Why Join Us
- Work on ambitious AI and SaaS products with real users and measurable impact.
- Ship fast with a collaborative, senior?heavy team that values clarity and ownership.
- Grow into broader ownership (product + tech) without giving up hands?on building.
How to Apply
1. Fill out the Lead Product Engineer application form here:
2. If selected, we’ll reach out with the next steps.
Interview Process
1. Initial Review — We screen for relevant experience and clarity in communication.
2. Take Home Challenge (one week to complete) — Complete a take home challenge to test your engineering leadership skills
3. Technical Interview 1: If you pass the first challenge, you’ll participate in a 45-minute technical interview with the CEO focused on system architecture.
4. Technical Interview 2: If you pass the first interview, you’ll participate in a 60-minute live coding interview. It can either be backend focused or frontend focus, your choice.
